Canada calls on international community to put pressure on Moscow over Russian aggression in Ukraine

Canada has expressed concern over human rights violations in the Russian-occupied Crimea and called on the international community to put pressure on Moscow in relation to Russia`s aggression against Ukraine, according to the statement by Canada`s Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, issued March 16.

”Since the occupation of Crimea, there has been a severe suppression of human rights, including freedom of expression and association,” the statement reads.

”Canada is steadfast in its support for the people of Ukraine. Together, the international community must maintain its pressure, including through economic sanctions, until Russia respects international law and Ukraine`s sovereignty,” said Freeland.

On Thursday, the U.S. State Department once again said it ”condemns Russian occupation of Crimea and calls for its immediate end.”

”Our Crimea-related sanctions will remain in place until Russia returns control of the peninsula to Ukraine,” State Department spokesman Mark Toner said, adding that the United States ”does not recognize Russia`s `referendum` of March 16, 2014, nor its attempted annexation of Crimea and continued violation of international law.”

”Residents of Crimea were compelled to vote while heavily armed foreign forces occupied their land,” said Toner.